SCOTUS to Review Corruption Charges Against Top Ex-Gov. Cuomo Aide

The Supreme Court will review corruption charges against a top aide to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a case that could have sweeping implications for claims of bribery levied against private citizens.

At least four justices agreed to hear arguments in Joseph Percoco v. United States, in which Percoco, who served as manager of Cuomo’s 2014 reelection campaign, was convicted of bribery charges and sentenced to six years behind bars, the Supreme Court announced Thursday. Because the former campaign manager was not working in a governmental capacity, a high court ruling in favor of Percoco would make it difficult for claims of bribery against private citizens, even those with unfettered access to high-power political leaders, to stick.

Percoco was found guilty of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and solicitation of bribes and gratuities by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in September 2018. He was found not guilty of two other counts, including a charge of payments of bribes and gratuities.

DOBBS WIN NOT END OF ‘HARD TOPICS’ DISCUSSION, SAYS MISSISSIPPI ATTORNEY GENERAL

When Cuomo assumed the governorship in 2011, he brought with him Percoco, whom he said his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, treated as a “third son.” Andrew Cuomo called Percoco’s conviction “a profoundly sad situation for me personally.”

Cuomo resigned amid pressure from within his own party following a bombshell Aug. 3, 2021, report from the state attorney general concluding he had sexually harassed at least 11 women. Denying the allegations of inappropriate touching, he railed against the political circumstances that led to his ouster and vowed a return to the public eye. No localities elected to pursue criminal charges against Cuomo in connection to the claims of sexual misconduct.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Supreme Court issued several high-profile rulings to close this year’s term, including Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the decades-old precedent of Roe v. Wade that found a constitutional right to privacy extended to abortions.

A representative for Cuomo did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.